If you are about to move to a new home and you are wondering whether you should trust specialists, then the following lines will be helpful to you in terms of the question of how to choose the right moving company. We will introduce you to the main advantages of cooperating with experts and look at the various aspects to consider when choosing the best company for your needs. Let's get started!
Hiring a removal company vs Relocating on your own
The main question that concerns all movers is whether to roll up their sleeves and take on the relocation process themselves or to trust specialists in the field. If our 10 reasons to hire professional movers have not convinced you, the following lines will be of interest to you. In addition to preventing potential health problems, you won't have to buy specialized equipment, rent a vehicle, or search for information about the paperwork required for the move. Professional moving companies reduce the stress of moving by speeding up and structuring the process.
DIY moving, on the other hand, guarantees you greater independence when it comes to planning the individual steps of the move. Among its main advantages is its affordability, and if you've had previous moving experience, the process becomes a lot easier. Instead of professionals, you can involve family and friends. However, you should take care of important details such as equipment and transportation yourself, familiarize yourself with techniques for lifting and moving heavy objects, and pay attention to aspects such as packing and securing belongings. Renting storage space also ranks on the to-do list of self-movers. Here are the pros and cons of relocating with the help of a specialist company, and self-moving:
Advantages of moving with a specialized company:
- Saves time
- Reduces stress and prevents health problems and injuries
- Opportunity to gain experience
- Minimised risk of damage
- No worries about aspects such as equipment, transport, loading (or unloading), documentation, packing and storage of your belongings.
Disadvantages of moving with the help of a specialist company:
- Requires financial resources
- The company's schedule and occupancy should be considered.
Advantages of moving independently:
- The main consideration is your personal time
- You plan independently
- You can rely on family, relatives and friends
- It's more affordable (if you don't rent specialized equipment and transportation).
Disadvantages of self-relocation:
- You prepare the documentation yourself
- Poses health risks
- In most cases it is quite stressful
- You need to take time off work
- Requires time and detailed organisation.
As a modern and experienced company, Movega Removals has optimized its services in such a way as to make them affordable and flexible for its customers.
How to choose a removal company: Various aspects to consider
Choosing the right removal company requires you to research the various alternatives on the market in detail. Here are the individual aspects to consider when making your choice:
Accreditation: Indicates whether the company meets established standards in removals (relating to safety, quality of work, variety of services offered, and the preferences enjoyed by its customers) and provides valuable information about the company's membership of specialist professional associations and organisations. Put another way, accreditations show your company's position in the professional community and increase confidence in its professionalism.
Services (including the possibility of shared ones): The services portfolio is an important aspect to explore. It ensures that the removal company you choose will best meet your individual needs, making your move as easy as possible. In fact, some removal companies also offer shared services: when renting a van or storage space, for example, you could share the available space with another customer, reducing your personal costs for the overall service. Among the most popular (and useful) services are:
- Dedicated Service: You can request a specific time for your belongings to be transported.
- Packing and Unpacking Services: You receive packing materials directly from the company's representatives. The items are packed by them in a way that ensures their safe transportation.
- Moving Helpers Service: The actual moving of boxes and heavy furniture is done by professionals using dedicated techniques and equipment.
- External Lift: Bulky items are brought into the new home using a crane through the window. Recommended for apartments located on an upper floor. Does not impede the movement of building occupants of the top floors.
- Renting a van or storage space: Ensures the optimal condition of the vehicle rented for the relocation and takes care of the safe storage of belongings during the relocation period.
Scope of work (geographical): Affects those moving to a foreign city or country. Some of the removal companies in the market offer international services (operating across continents) and are familiar with the specifics and documentation and insurance required when moving abroad.
Prices: The question of how to choose the right removal company is largely related to the price of the services you choose. It would be difficult to provide a guide price for hiring a removal company as it would vary depending on several criteria. Examples are:
- The length of the removal process
- The number and type of services chosen
- The geographic distance of the relocation—whether it takes place within the same country or abroad
Vehicle size: A key issue to investigate especially when it comes to moving heavy and bulky items such as furniture, lighting, or collectables. It also affects movers without furniture who would like to rent a smaller (hence more affordable) van. When measuring the load you are moving, you can also take advantage of the online inventory of your transported possessions just by using a smartphone camera and a mobile app.
Removal insurance: In the most general sense, it relates to the safety of your belongings and should cover potential damages incurred during the move. Reputable companies would also provide insurance for the living area that you are moving out of (or moving into)—for example, damage to walls or floors because of the relocation activity. Looking after the health of the company's employees is also an important aspect of relocation insurance. Relocation insurance is among the key issues to comment on when potentially consulting with a company.
Opportunity for consultation: Extremely important on the topic of how to choose the right moving company. It allows you to get to know the team, make personal contact with team members and ask specific questions. In addition, relocation specialists could share experiences gained in practice and offer personal solutions.
Consumer reviews: In a market with increasing competition, consumer reviews are a key benchmark to guide you in choosing a good removal company. They allow you to make a decision based on different perspectives and individual case studies. Rating systems available online help you narrow down the range of alternatives you are considering and find information about new companies that were not on your original list.
Company history: questions such as how long the company has been in business, which countries it operates in, and what type of clients it has served (families, businesses, etc.) should not go unanswered.
How to choose a removal company: Creating a brief
Removal instructions aim to set a framework for the process by informing removal companies of key details such as the date of the move, the addresses of the new and old accommodation, the number and type of items to be transported, the type of furniture relative to individual rooms, the need for packing and other important details.
They help professionals be as prepared as possible, providing a personalized service, and minimizing the risk of unplanned events during the actual relocation. You can also create these types of guidelines on your own, and here are the key elements we recommend including:
- Relocation date
- Address of the home you are moving out of
- Address of the dwelling you are moving into
- Whether packing of specific items is required (description of items and size)
- A description of the number of boxes to be transported (including size, numbering and contents of boxes)
- Description of furniture difficult to transport
- Description of fragile items
- Need to disassemble some of the items (which are they)
- Description of carpets, curtains, and other bulky textile accessories
- Are there items that you will transport yourself
- Allocation of the boxes to be transported by room (which should be transported to your new kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom, closet, etc.)
- Current contact details: telephone number and email
How to choose a removal company: List of all recommendable steps
- Define your needs. Answer questions such as when you are planning to move, what is your budget and what services you need.
- Explore options. Gather information about available removal companies online or by asking friends and acquaintances. Keep in mind the location of the move and the scale of each company's operation.
- Make a list of selected removal companies. This will give you clarity regarding the options available.
- Evaluate their advantages and disadvantages. By doing this, you will be able to narrow down the range of alternatives under consideration based on the information provided online by each company. Comprehensive online information is among the characteristics that demonstrate professionalism.
- Compare prices, services (and insurance) offered, scope of activity, and the possibility of prior consultation. The most important step to which you should devote more time and attention.
- Compile a list of questions for the specialists. They will help you set the framework for future consultation, giving you as much detailed information as possible.
- Request a consultation. Do not underestimate the eye-to-eye contact and the first impression the specialists will leave with you. Whether it's on-site, online, or over the phone, a consultation would certainly make your choice easier.
- Contact the selected companies. Conduct the actual consultation and ask the predefined questions.
- Consider your choice based on the information you receive. Take time to think about it and opt for the safest solution.
- Choose the most optimal alternative. Confirm your choice and willingness to cooperate with the chosen removal company, then move on to planning the move itself.
We hope our tips on how to choose the right removal company have been helpful to you! If Movega Removals is among your alternatives, don't hesitate to contact us now. You can email us via our contact form or the chatbot feature available on our website. We will be happy to advise you.
